Media | Odaymoore

Dan Woog & Dave Briggs Live Q&A with Don and Andrea, Candidates for Westport Selectman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2025

From Don O’Day and Andrea Moore, Candidates for Westport Board of Selectmen

Don O’Day is a former Chairman of the Board of Education. He led the Coleytown Middle School renovation and currently serves on the RTM and the Long Lots School Building Committee.
Andrea Moore is Westport’s Second Selectwoman. She is a former Board of Finance Vice Chair and a former RTM member. Her volunteer work includes serving as Saugatuck Elementary School PTA President and Chair of Staples Tuition Grants.

O’Day–Moore Statement on the Planning & Zoning Commission’s Decision on The Hamlet

Westport, CT — ROAN Ventures’ proposal to build a mixed-use waterfront development called The Hamlet was denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) last night. This has been a long and difficult process—for Westport residents, the P&Z, and ROAN Ventures. But make no mistake: last night’s decision by the P&Z is not the end of the road. Far from it.

Westport’s leaders, property owners, and residents must now consider the next steps. The O’Day–Moore campaign for Selectmen sees two:

The applicant withdraws and resubmits a new Hamlet proposal.
This is our preferred outcome.

Very often, a denial—however frustrating—is simply one step on the road to a mutually agreeable solution. Come November, Westport will have new members and leadership across our local government. With new faces may come fresh thinking and new ideas should be on the table. Thoughtful suggestions recently offered by several respected members of the community deserve serious evaluation.

Let’s also acknowledge that developers seek a return on investment. Investor profitability isn’t about greed; it is a basic reality of business—but by no means guaranteed. It is why people risk personal capital.

The O’Day–Moore campaign views this moment not as a final rejection but as an opportunity to move forward constructively, with the knowledge that development in the Saugatuck area is a positive outcome. Importantly, the O’Day–Moore pledge is that all development must consider the myriad concerns raised by residents during the many hearings held on this issue.
The applicant moves ahead with a large-scale 8-30g project.
We hope this does not happen.

First and foremost, threats—explicit or implied—make resolution harder. We urge a tone of collaboration, not confrontation.

As we all know, Connecticut’s 8-30g statute allows developers to bypass local zoning regulations in towns where less than 10% of housing is considered affordable. A massive 8-30g development in Saugatuck could place significant strain on Westport’s infrastructure—particularly our schools, roads, and other vital services.

ROAN Ventures’ Hamlet proposal was not presented under the terms of the 8-30g statute. Therefore, it went through a robust local process where zoning protections applied.

Losing local control through a state override is not in our town’s best interest.

Let us be clear: affordable housing must be part of Westport’s future. If elected, the O’Day–Moore team is committed to working with the Planning and Zoning Commission to promote an affordable housing provision in town and a cohesive zoning plan for Westport.

On Traffic: Let’s Try Solutions—Now

Traffic in Saugatuck is a known and daily frustration. Commuters rushing to or from the train experience it. So do parents, business owners, and visitors.

Interestingly, The Hamlet proposal included ideas to reduce congestion while adding density—something that may sound counterintuitive but merits exploration. Proposals such as smart traffic-light management (via remote monitoring), converting one-way streets to two-way, or other design tweaks deserve immediate consideration.

If we can implement even a few of these ideas and they help—why wait?

A Path Forward

Reopening this discussion will require a willingness to begin again—by both sides. A reassessment period makes sense. Then let’s return to the table with a shared goal: smart planning for Westport’s future.

Let’s find a collaborative path forward.

Don O’Day and Andrea Moore
Candidates for Selectmen

DON O’DAY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR WESTPORT FIRST SELECTMAN

Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore chosen as running mate

WESTPORT, CT – Don O’Day was endorsed today by the Westport Republican Party as its candidate for First Selectman, the town’s highest elected office. He will run alongside Second Selectwoman and former Board of Finance Vice Chairwoman Andrea Moore as his running mate.

A lifelong Democrat and now an unaffiliated voter, O’Day believes that effective local leadership must rise above party politics.

“Local government should be about neighbors and solutions—not ideology,” said O’Day. “What matters most is what’s best for Westport residents, not a particular party.”

O’Day cited his tenure as Chairman of the Westport Board of Education as a model for collaborative, results-driven leadership.

“We built a culture of cooperation and respect,” he said. “It worked—and it inspired the same approach on the Board of Finance.”

That bipartisan leadership model on both the BOE and BOF continues today.

Following extensive discussions, O’Day said he found common priorities with today’s Westport Republican Party and was proud to accept its endorsement.

“We may not align on all national issues, but we agree that Westport deserves pragmatic, nonpartisan leadership focused on getting things done for the people of this great town.”

O’Day and Moore bring decades of public service and a shared commitment to preserving Westport’s character while planning responsibly for its future. Their approach emphasizes action, transparency, and inclusivity—not delays or endless studies.

“People won’t always agree with every decision,” O’Day said, “but they’ll always understand how and why it was made. The First Selectman’s office will be clear, candid, and responsive.”

He cited his leadership on the Coleytown Middle School renovation as an example—not just of project management, but of effective public communication throughout the process.

Moore agreed.

“I’ve worked with Don many times, including when he chaired the CMS Building Committee and I served on the Board of Finance,” she said. “I was impressed by his grasp of the big picture and his ability to bring people together for a common cause. I’m confident he’s the right person to move our town forward.”

O’Day–Moore Priorities Include:

Modernizing town and school infrastructure with a focus on fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
Preserving Westport’s AAA bond rating through disciplined financial management.
Respecting local zoning while responsibly expanding affordable housing.
Enhancing parks, beaches, and recreational facilities for all residents.
Improving traffic management with an emphasis on pedestrian and cyclist safety.

O’Day has served Westport for more than 20 years—as Chairman of the Board of Education, Chairman of the Coleytown Middle School Building Committee, member of the Long Lots School Building Committee, and currently as a Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member for District 3.

He retired after a 40-year career in financial services, including 35 years at Citi, where he held senior roles such as Chief Financial Officer of Home Equity Lending and Chief Administrative Officer of Citi’s mortgage business.

Don and his wife, Toni, have lived in Westport for over 30 years. Toni has taught preschool at St. Paul’s on Easton Road for the past 25 years. They raised three sons—Donny, Tom, and Mike—all graduates of Westport’s public schools.

Andrea Moore currently serves as Westport’s Second Selectwoman. She previously served on the Board of Finance, including two years as Vice Chairwoman. Education has long been a passion of Andrea’s and a focus of her many volunteer commitments.

Before entering public service, Andrea had a 20+ year career in financial services. She and her husband, Dave Moore, have three college-aged daughters—Tessa, Janna, and Ella.

“It’s an honor to serve Westport,” O’Day said. “With my experience as an elected official, my professional background in finance and management, and Andrea’s deep knowledge of town operations and financial control, we offer a steady, transparent, and experienced team—ready to keep Westport strong for everyone who calls it home.”

For more information about the campaign, please contact info@odaymooreforwestport.com.